Turbulent weather's still evolving across the country - for a second chaotic day, with one person dying after being hit by a fallen branch in Wellington

An Orange strong wind warning remains for Wellington, Canterbury, Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa and Tararua - with thousands of homes without power.

Large fires are burning near Kaikoura, fanned by strong winds - closing State Highway 1 north of the settlement.

Fire's also broken out at Central Hawke's Bay's Porangahau - and strong winds have toppled multiple trucks and campervans in affected areas.

MetService's Heather Keats says the wind and rain aren't over yet.

She says a front with a strong and humid north-west flow is set to remain over central regions today.